2008 Impact Rookies

Brandon Jones: It wouldn’t be the same if the Braves didn’t have a Jones in the outfield. That can very well happen next season if Brandon Jones has a good spring training. He will almost certainly win a platoon role with the mighty Matt Diaz. These two sluggers have the ability to make up the [...]

Bench Positions

There are 4 to 5 bench openings depending on how many Bullpen pitchers the Braves take after Spring Training. Here I will talk ab out the 1B position and C.
1. Javy Lopez- 2006 stats(BAL & BOS), .230 AVG, 8 HRs, 35 RBIs, .606 OPS and 3 Errors
Javy Lopez through his career has been a [...]

Soriano Signed to a Two Year Deal

According to Mark Bowman, Frank Wren and the Braves signed future 2008 closer Rafael Soriano to a two year $9 million dollar deal. This was a marvelous deal for both sides. The $9 million dollar deal breaks down like this. Soriano will receive $2.4MM in 08, $6.1MM in 09, and a $500K signing bonus. The [...]

2008 Atlanta Braves Rotation Candidates

Chuck James: James had a down year from what he did in his rookie season. He had many ups in the season and he had many downs. He went 11-10 with a 4.24 ERA last season for the Atlanta Braves. James main problem last year was his inability to pitch late into games. Being a [...]

Chop Chatter

Mark Teixeira: according to Dave O’Brien of the AJC, Frank Wren and Mark Teixiera’s agent Scott Boras agreed to a one-year 12.5 million dollar contract. His 2008 contract also includes incentives worth $50,000 each for making the All-Star team or winning a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger award; $100,000 for league MVP; $25,000 for being [...]

Infante Breaks Hand

According to the AJC, Omar Infante has broken his hand. Man, we made that Willy Aybar deal right in the nick of time. Now who will take over utility spot? Oh yeah, that really good minor league SS we traded for when we got Mike Gonzalez for Adam LaRoche, Brent Lillibridge.
I think this will be [...]

Rays Interested in Aybar?

UPDATE: It’s official. Braves trade Chase Fontaine and Willy Aybar to the Rays for Jeff Ridgway.
It appears the Tampa Bay Rays are interested in 3B/2B Willy Aybar. Aybar, who’s value at this moment is extremely low, didn’t really play in any games at all last year. He battled substance abuse and alcoholic problems. He fixed [...]

2008 Starting Rotation Candidates

Jair Jurrjens: Jurrjens was acquired this off-season is a really good trade that included Gorkys Hernandez and Edgar Renteria. That was the best trade that Frank Wren made in his short tenure as the Braves general manager. Jurrjens is a very good young pitching prospect. He had a 4.70 ERA in his brief time in [...]

BA Jair Jurrjens Q&A

Here is a Q&A I found of Jair Jurrjens. This interview is brought to you buy Baseball America.Baseball America: How would you describe yourself as a pitcher?
Jair Jurrjens: I hear that I’m not a power pitcher, probably because I don’t strike out 10 guys every game. But I can blow out hitters with my fastball, [...]

Preliminary Agreement: Mark Kotsay Acquired For a Hefty Price

UPDATE 4: Congratulations Mark Kotsay! You have passed your physical, and you are now an Atlanta Brave! By the way, just so your old team, the A’s, don’t feel like they are getting ripped off, we’re sending them another really good pitching prospect, Jamie Richmond. (MLBTR) Does anybody wanna change their poll answer? I was [...]